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“It was the worst thing I’ve ever been through, even worse than when Jared and I broke up for a time. Not knowing if her mother was going to come back for her and say it had been a terrible mistake… Jared put an investigator on trying to find her. It was so nuts.”
“In the meantime, you were taking care of her.”
“And falling deeper in love with her by the second. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I’d had to give her up. I would’ve come apart.”
“I’m so glad that didn’t happen, Lizzie.”
“God, me, too. Jessie, the baby’s mother, signed over permanent custody to us, and we’re in the process of adopting her. Jessie can still change her mind until it’s final, but she’s promised us she’s not going to. I’ve decided to believe her, so I won’t worry myself to death over that.”
“Congratulations. I’m so, so happy for you and Jared.”
“Thank you. We’re happy for us, too. Now that we have signed paperwork that says she’s ours to keep, it’s like we’ve both allowed ourselves to fall completely in love with her. Jared is just over the moon for her. He gets up with her every night and stays up for hours with her sometimes so I can sleep. He can’t get enough of her.”
“That’s lovely,” Cindy said, moved nearly to tears by Lizzie’s joy.
“I always knew he’d be the most wonderful father.” She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue that Cindy handed her. “I’m sorry to go on and on. How are you?”
“You’re not doing that. You’re overflowing with joy, and it’s wonderful to see.”
“Thank you. I promise I’ll stop gushing in a year or maybe eighteen of them.”
Cindy laughed. “Gush all you want. You waited a long time for this moment. You need to fully enjoy it.”
“Oh, I am when I’m not craving more sleep.”
“From what I hear, they figure out the sleep situation sooner rather than later.”
“God, I hope so.”
“How are Cooper and Gigi doing?” Jared’s younger brother Cooper had recently fallen for reality TV star Gigi Gibson.
“They’re great, back in LA for now, getting ready to premiere the season of the show that she and Jordan filmed here on Gansett. They invited us to come out for the festivities, but we’re staying at home with Miss Violet for now. Mason and Jordan and Riley and Nikki are going out for it, though.”
“That’s very exciting.”
“I guess. To me, hanging with a newborn is far more exciting than the red carpet. But Cooper is so in love with Gigi—and vice versa. Jared and Quinn can’t believe their wild baby brother has been domesticated, but Gigi is perfect for him. She doesn’t put up with any of his nonsense.”
“They were in for haircuts before they left. They’re cute together.”
“They really are. We’re so thrilled for them. Anyway, tell me something fun that’s going on with you.”
“I seem to have gotten myself a boyfriend,” Cindy said, smiling at the way Lizzie’s eyes lit up with that news.
“Do tell!”
They were fully caught up by the time Cindy sent Lizzie and Violet on their way with hugs and a haircut that Lizzie said made her feel like a whole new woman. That was Cindy’s goal with every client, to make them feel special and pampered during the hour they spent in her chair.
She was about to step out to find something to eat when Jace came through the door, carrying a bag.
“I figured that even the island’s only stylist gets a lunch break, right?”
Smiling and thrilled to see him, she said, “She does, and you timed it perfectly.”
“Oh, I love when I have perfect timing.”
Cindy raised a brow. “Are we still talking about lunch?”
He stopped in front of her and kissed her. “We’re talking about all the things. I wanted to do something to thank you for watching the boys last night.”
